The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-02
PROHIBITION.


les on tue Doftn, through ouWaD-
nee, Clay, Alachua, Marion, Orange
md Sumter to Levy, on the gulf,
and to Brevarl, on the Atlantic, the
sale of liquor is now prohibited,
with half a dozen elections on hand
and more in prospect. This pree-
teal sweep of the State by the mo-
has been as uneXpects \
as it il complete, mixing up no
only the political parties, but wiping
out the color line in such manner
as to work confusion to the slated
makers. That prohibition would
ever be reached 10 this State was
never seriously considered. The
natives are so far removed from the
current movements in the North
that they were not supposed to take
much interest in it. The negroes
have not been in the habit OF train
ing with white leaders.
The great travel from the North
suggested the advisabiliiy Of keeping
we'll stocked bar -TOoas, in order that
as much money as possible might be
retained here. The temperance
workers we're unknown and without
influence, and when they sought
such legislation as would permit
elections by local option for the
suppression OF the liquor traffic, it !,
was not only readily granted as the
easiest method Of getting rid Of
set Of cranks, but these alleged
cranks were permitted TO frame
their own law. This, as will be seen
later on, is the cause OF wailiDg and
crashing of teeth among the liquor
men today. In half a dozen coun-
ties elections we're brought on under
the local option law. While the
political hustings were deserted the
churches were filled.
Strange to say, in this land Of Bit
ter hatred between the races engen-
dered during the Tilden campaign Of
1876, white preachers, often accom-
panied by white female workers,
went down into the colored churohes
and prayed with vim for the aboli-
ton of the liquor traffic. The me-
/ groes we're at first amazed, and then
the amazement turned TO pleasure
when they found their votes were
wanted by the whites. Colored men
OF prominence were appealed to to
| take their stand not by" but AS
members Of the better class. In
other words, the idea was carefully
spread forth that THE Lord had
made the people one"
The liquor men, on the other hand,
relied on the want OF interest among
| the natives, the "cupidity of the
Yankee settlers" and the well known
love Of the negro or liquor 10 defeat
prohibition. They introduced the
Texas letter Of Jefferson Davis to in
Auence the ex-Coniederates, but this
was offset by letter written by Mr..
Davis TO friend in Hamilton county,
| in which he declared that while OPP
posed TO State prohibition, he be-
lieyed in the right OF every commu.
nifty acting for itself to remove nui'
sances aud TO promote local order.
As the elect ms pa ssed oil, one by
one, the liquor men were treated 10
4 series OF surprises. Alachua coun-
ty, a second Congo region. where ne.
groes are as thick as aeas. went dry
bya clear negro majority. Orange
county, the great center OF North
ern immigration, voted 10 keeI
liquor out. The ex Confederates Of
Santa Rosa and Franklin found
room under JEFF Davis's local option
letter 10 save their States right,
scruples, while running out what the
preachers characterized rs the run
devil" Thus 10 date fifteen cleo.
tons have been held, aud Of thes,
twelve have voted dry, namely
Franklin, Santa Rosa, Suwarnee
Baker, Polk, Columbia, Alachua
Marion, Clay, Brevard. Orange
Gadsden and Levy.
Three counties failed to give q dr.!
majority. and it was here that the
liquor men found how badly the,
had been euchered by the prohibi
tionists in the framing Of the law
The act provides that one-fourth O
the voters OF county, by petition ;,
the con missiOners can have al
election within thirty days. Wher
such election is held il is by dis
tricts. III the county should 30 wet
but one or two districts should hap
pen 10 vote dry, they are 30 declared
Notwithstanding the general resul
in the cou lty, On the other hand
II the county should go dry, but sew
eral districts should 90 wet, the rul,
il reversed, aud the wet districts ar,
declared dry. This makes the pro
hibition cause an ever increasing
factor. IL can always win, but neve
lose.
Other elections are now rapid,
coming on. Hillsboro county -
vote on the Both, and il is a foregoH
. conclusion that the prohibitionist
will win. Lee and Pasco countie
will vote on the 10Th OF October, ant
Bradford will vote four days later
In these counties tho ants are max
; ing no fight, owing to the combina
, ton OF church, negro, Copiederat
and Federal influences. Petition
for an election are being circulate,
in the county In which 81. Augustin
is situated, aud the old Spanisl
stronghold will surrender 10 tn
ideas Of New ENGLAND. In man,
other counties petitions are beinI
signed up, so that when the winte
Is over il is confidently expected tina
nine..cnths OF Florida will be as DR..
as a whistle.
The last great fight will be il
Jacksonville, and the Prohibition
lists will win. This D owing TO
, variety of causes. The liquor ele
. ment 10 jacksonville is strong az,
! influential, but IL has played disss
trous part in local politics. Tn
, boldness OF the gambling bells an,
the houses Of prostitution has callet
down on several occasions the indig
nation Of the people. They are tire,
OF the efforts Of the whisky ring an'
IL peculiar allies 20 gain and hol
| - all eos. NaN anWg la Ul